CHAPTER 36

Several months had passed since their meeting with Shadow Raker. Several months had passed since Drift had broken up with Windblade. Several months had passed since Fracture was gone…

Drift hadn't seen the time to pass. Yet, many things had changed.

Autobot team hadn't changed. Not at all. Field missions were ongoing. They had captured many fugitive Decepticons to put them in stasis pods. Many of them were already on Cybertron now. Denny kept collecting junk and Russell had passed his exams. But…Atmosphere had changed.

First, Sideswipe and Strongarm got close. Drift noticed they didn't argue as much as before. Their arguments had been reduced to teasing, smile and acknowledgement. The samurai was sure: there was something up in the air. Anyway, Sideswipe had stopped pouting about Windblade. Indeed, when Sideswipe had learned about their break-up, Drift had been very surprised by the red bot's reaction. He had sneaked around to see him in his room, genuinely puzzled. "Why? Why is it over with Windblade?"

Indeed. Why? Sideswipe wouldn't understand. He didn't care about how, but Bumblebee had been the first one to know. His leader hadn't judged him. He had only reassured him, telling him that Drift had probably his own reasons. If he had wanted to talk with someone, he would have been here. That's something Drift loved about him.

Anyway, Sideswipe hadn't taken this opportunity to conquer Windblade. On the contrary, he had spent his entire time with Strongarm, talking about her nonstop…That definitely meant something. Anyway, his breakup with Windblade hadn't disturbed their teamwork. She was still polite and sweet toward him but…something was off. Sometimes, he swore she willingly avoided him. He only understood her.

As for Jetstorm and Slipstream, their training had unexpectedly hardened. It didn't have been Drift's initiative. Far from it…They had been the ones who had wished to improve their skills, working from morning till night. Drift didn't see them doing something else. They had stopped watching TV, playing video games with Russell. The boy sometimes felt a bit alone even though his girlfriend Hank often came to visit him. This change of behaviour definitely was because of Shadow Raker. They didn't want to disappoint their Master.

Even now…Drift moved closer to his pupils. They sparred with each other. Jetstorm was the one who had the upper hand. The naginata flied away, Jetstorm putting a pede on Slipstream's chassis. His partner was unable to move.

"And you are dead" He said.

Slipstream shook his head.

"What did you eat today? It doesn't count! I want my revenge. Let's go for another round. I wouldn't cease until I win."

"As you wish"

Drift cleared his throat. His Minicons turned around. He had his arms crossed, a slight smile on his face.

"You trained enough for today. Why not having a break?"

"A break?"

Yes. That's hard to believe. Drift had always scolded them if they played…now he offered them a break. Roles were reversed now.

"Yes" He nodded. "Sideswipe and Russell are going to play to that "basketball" game if I'm right. They need two more players."

Slipstream refused.

"We do not have time for this, Master."

"We want to become useful to the team" Jetstorm added, a genuine smile on his face. "Training is necessary to eliminate our weaknesses."

Yes. He knew it. He had been the one who taught them to "eliminate their weaknesses". Now he wondered why he had been that strict toward them. Why had he asked them to work over and over? They had good intentions. But Bumblebee was right…He shouldn't have pressured them that much.

He spoke up, a softer tone.

"I get it. But you shall know a true warrior has also their relaxing times."

"But our enemies will not give us relaxing times!" Slipstream cried out.

This sentence came from him too. Drift sighed.

"Yes. But brainwashing will not make you stronger. I'm not asking you to become war machines even if we are technically ones…You also need to enjoy any precious time."

Both Minicons exchanged a look. Drift closed his optics. He was talking like his mentor…

"Go play" He said. "You deserve it. That's good work."

They hesitated for a few moments, weapons at servos. They finally put them down before leaving the field. Drift nodded. They needed to talk sooner or later. He hadn't had the chance to do it. But…how did he even bring it up?

He had never taken time to talk with them. He rarely did, actually. Drift had always applied his own "shut up and fight" policy. He paid for it today. First he decided to go to Slipstream. His partner walked away.

"Why?" He simply asked.

Slipstream frowned, confused.

"Why "what", Master?"

"You do not need to train more. You are just tiring yourselves."

Slipstream looked down. Drift immediately added:

"I don't blame you, Slipstream."

His student did not reply. Drift moved closer.

"…Are you still feeling guilty for what happened to Axe?"

"If we didn't have been weak, he would be still alive."

"Don't say such things, Slipstream. Don't be too hard on yourself."

"That's true!" Slipstream suddenly burst out, tears in his optics. He struggled not to cry. "At least, I should have protected Jetstorm."

He gulped, suppressing a sob.

"That's the reason why I'm doing this…I want to protect Jetstorm. I want…to protect my younger brother."

Drift nodded. He gently rubbed his head. Slipstream looked down, still ashamed.

"Shadow Raker will never come near you again. And keep in mind: that's my duty to protect both of you. No matter what happens, I just want you to remain alive."

Yes. If something ever happened to his students, he would never forgive himself. Maybe that's the reason why he had been able to keep a cool head during these last months. His pupils needed to rely on someone.

"If you need to be alone, Slipstream, go."

He paused.

"Crying…isn't weakness. It only proves you are normal. You have emotions. You need to let them out."

Slipstream didn't reply. Drift understood. He needed his space. He would give it to him. He gently patted his back before sitting near Jetstorm. It startled his student. He immediately bowed to him.

"What can I do for you, Master?"

Why was he still behaving in such a way? But he couldn't. They shouldn't forget good manners. "I came to talk to you…just like I did to Slipstream. I don't want you to work yourselves to death."

"But if Shadow Raker came to attack us again, we must be ready!" Jetstorm cried out.

Drift frowned. He didn't like his tone, even for good reasons. Jetstorm went stiff, pulling himself together.

"He must pay"

"I don't want this, Jetstorm" He sternly told him. "What did I tell you about revenge?"

The Minicon looked down.

"But Shadow Raker…"

"He will not come to bother you ever again. He'll pay for his crimes like everyone else. But that's not your duty to punish them. You'll end up regretting it."

He let out a deep sigh.

"Any sentient being has the capacity for change" He said.

"Even Shadow Raker?" Jetstorm cried out, sounding outraged.

Shadow Raker…was he able to change too? Drift didn't know. He had no answer. But the Circle of Light had always offered a chance for redemption. Even to him…

"…Only time will tell"

Yes. Everybody could follow another path, another way…They just had to decide. He had offered this chance to Fracture. Nobody knew about their last encounter. He had pretended not to know about the person who stole Shadow Raker's ship.

Fracture's destiny was in his hands.

He frowned. He had thought about him during these last months. He had wondered what he was doing right now. Was he back on Cybertron? Was he imprisoned? Was he hunting other prizes?

He wouldn't know.

"You better change your state of mind, pupil. Am I clear?"

Jetstorm's expression didn't change. But Drift's stern stare made him answer.

"Understood, Master"

Drift was unconvinced. He was about to add something when Bumblebee ran to them. Drift and Jetstorm turned around.

"What's going on?" Drift questioned him.

"Fixit located Shadow Raker's ship's signal."

Jetstorm froze. Drift put a servo over his shoulder. Shadow Raker was still here, in a stasis pod. So…it could be…

"Jetstorm! Slipstream!" He called them back.

Both Minicons nodded and transformed into their buzzsaw mode to attach themselves on Drift's wrists. A few moment later, the other Autobots joined them in front of the scrapyard's entrance.

"Where is the ship?" Grimlock asked.

"A few meters from the scrapyard…" Fixit informed them. "That's not good at all!"

What was he doing here? Drift winced. Why?

"Get ready!" Bumblebee ordered them.

Autobots didn't move. Drift's optics met Windblade's. She looked away, focusing on the newcomer. The samurai tried to ignore a spark ache. He pulled his sword out, ready.

A few minutes later, Fracture appeared. Drift quickly examined him. He hadn't physically changed. The purple Decepticon had a self-confident smirk. Other Autobots pointed their weapons at him.

"Wow. What a welcome."

He looked around.

"That's still a mess" He commented.

"Hey!" Denny cried out, scandalized.

"What do you want, Fracture?" Bumblebee roared, an obvious anger burning in his optics.

Fracture didn't look back at him. He was focused on Drift. The samurai would have wished to look away but he didn't wish to seem vulnerable.

He wouldn't be vulnerable in front of him.

"Such a way to greet a friend." Fracture said.

Grimlock and Sideswipe burst out into laughter.

"Is that a joke?" Grimlock asked. "You? A friend?"

"Don't even dream about it!" Windblade sneered.

"I helped you to resolve the "Shadow Raker" case" Fracture pointed, a nonchalant tone.

Bumblebee shook his head.

"Do you believe such an action redeems you for your other crimes?" He asked him, calmer. "Everything you did was for your own interest."

"Yes!" Sideswipe agreed. "A scum remains a scum. Moreover, you stole a ship!"

Fracture shrugged, still staring at Drift. What? Did he expect the samurai to defend him?

"Now, answer!" Bumblebee repeated. "What do you want?"

"…I came for you, Drift." He said.

Drift froze. What? Did he come to settle scores? Bumblebee made a step ahead.

"You want Drift? You'll have to come through me."

"Me as well" Windblade added.

He looked back at her. She was serious, a fiery and protective look on her face. Drift remained speechless. Was she still ready to protect him?

"You are wrong" Fracture replied. "…Drift is in danger"

"WHAT?" Autobots screamed.

In danger? What for…? What would…? Drift froze, silent.

"Yes" The Decepticon nodded. "Someone will come for his head. A person contracted with a bounty hunter. The contract involves Drift."

Grimlock growled.

"A bounty hunter? You?"

"No" Fracture answered. "…That's Lockdown."

It was a dead silence. Drift still tried to understand Fracture's words.

Someone will come for his head…?

Someone…contracted with Lockdown?

Lockdown had been Wing's murderer and had been declared dead…Was he still alive? He was after him? But who would pay for his head…Who…?

And why did Fracture bother to warn him? Why did he come back on Earth?

"Yes, yes…" Strongarm sighed, unconvinced. "Is it a new trick, Fracture? You are probably lying again…"

"Yes!" Sideswipe agreed. "You hate Drift and you love bounties! Why should we believe you?"

Fracture stared deeply in the samurai's optics. Drift felt…awkward. Was it a way to prove he was sincere?

But Fracture was a consummate liar. Was he saying the truth? Was he lying? That's impossible to know.

"Indeed" Fracture nodded. "Drift is mine. If someone comes for his head, he'll have to come through me."

"I'm not a piece of meat" Drift sighed, rolling his optics.

Fracture chuckled. But nobody mimicked him.

"That's a very bad joke" Bumblebee declared.

"That's not a joke" Fracture said. "I know…since I personally met Lockdown."

Despite Fracture's cheerful tone, he also sounded…bitter. He had met his model. Why such a behaviour?

"He saved me" Fracture sighed. "In an alley. An Autobot wished my death."

He almost spat it.

"So, you have no reason to help Drift" Windblade noticed.

"Well…as I said, I don't like to share."

Indeed. Fracture was possessive. But to the point of coming back on Earth to warn him from such a threat…No. Drift still had to learn about the Decepticon.

He remembered their kiss before parting ways. Drift wondered if Fracture truly had feelings toward him or if he just played with him. If he truly cared for him, was he acting out of his feelings…?

No. Fracture couldn't love him…not after everything he did…

"Even if that's true" Bumblebee sighed, taking handcuffs out. "Your servos are full of energon. I don't care about your intention…"

"No" Drift cut him in.

Everybody turned toward him. Fracture's smirk widened.

"If Lockdown is really after me" He declared. "We can't do it without Fracture."

"What?" Sideswipe exclaimed. "Are you telling us…that you trust him?"

"We will never ally with Fracture!" Fixit spoke up.

Drift shook his head.

"If he met him, he may have information. It could help us to anticipate his attack."

"I'm glad you have a brain, Drift"

Fracture winked at him. Bumblebee didn't drop his weapon.

"We can't let him run free" He objected.

"Oh no! No way! He will not stay in the scrapyard" Grimlock said.

"Yeah! I don't have any plate for an extra person" Denny agreed. "No way he will stay near my son!"

"Don't worry" Fracture reassured them.

He turned back into his motorcycle mode. He was ready to go.

"I would stay in the forest…I managed to handle myself in the wilderness with Drift. You are free to come whenever you desire."

Drift wasn't impressed. Bumblebee was about to say something but the samurai cut him in again.

"I'll come tonight" He spoke up.

"Drift! That's too dangerous!" Strongarm protested.

"I must know the truth. I have to check if he's lying or not."

Fracture didn't move.

"Come alone. Without your Minicons"

"No way-"

"My Minicons wouldn't be around either. It'll be just you and me."

Drift glanced down at his wrists. He looked back at Fracture.

He agreed. He wasn't sure if Fracture would keep his promise. But he had to know the truth. Lockdown was far more dangerous than Fracture. He couldn't endanger his team.

"See you tonight, so"

Fracture vanished.